Starlink competitor AST SpaceMobile launched its Bluebird smartphone satellites this morning

AST SpaceMobile is taking one other step towards its purpose of offering a space-based cellular communications community — one that will flip any customary smartphone right into a satellite tv for pc cellphone, no extra {hardware} required. After announcing that its community of 5 business satellites is scheduled to launch into low-Earth orbit on September 12, the launch came about efficiently this morning. You may watch the launch beneath; the 10-second countdown begins at 1:16:09 within the video.

The corporate’s 5 BlueBird satellites are outfitted with communications arrays that intention to supply customary off-the-shelf smartphones with the identical voice, knowledge and video speeds as a broadband tower. As soon as in orbit, AST’s satellites will present “non-continuous mobile broadband service throughout the USA and in choose markets globally.” The community can enable unmodified cellphones to behave as satellite tv for pc telephones, which would offer an choice for cell customers to speak even in areas with restricted broadband tower protection, equivalent to rural communities or nationwide parks.

Initially, this BlueBird community will likely be centered on servicing beta take a look at clients from the AT&T and Verizon networks. AST landed a deal with AT&T in Could to supply satellite tv for pc communication to its clients. The corporate additionally labored with AT&T to finish its first profitable two-way voice name over its satellites in April 2023, adopted by a profitable 4G knowledge obtain take a look at in June 2023.

Replace, September 12 2024, 11:07AM ET: This story has been up to date to verify that the launch came about efficiently this morning.